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Residents of a Cornish hamlet have called on Network Rail to stop construction of an 80ft radio mast near their homes.
The company has admitted not everyone living in Sandplace near Looe was told about the plan due to an "administrative error".
It claims the mast improves reliability and allows for 100% signal coverage.
But one resident, Derek Bolton, said the mast had been sited "on top of people's homes".
Steven Wright said the work was being carried out without any consultation with residents.
"They're doing everything by the back door," he said.
Network Rail have pledged to paint the completed mast green in an attempt to reduce its impact on the area.
Speaking on BBC Radio Cornwall Caroline Foster said she was concerned about the impact on the ecology of the area.
The radio waves were being broadcast on frequencies that would affect the local bat population and small vertebrates, she said.
Network Rail has insisted it is complying with an EU safety directive and that the mast meets guidelines for power output, frequency and safety.

Network Rail stops work on 80ft mast in Cornwall

Network Rail has stopped work on an 80ft (24m) communications mast, after people living nearby said they were not told about the construction.

The company has apologised to residents of Sandplace, near Looe, Cornwall, and a month-long consultation has begun.

Network Rail said it was due to an "administrative error", but BBC News has been told of other cases where it appears residents were not told.

The company said it was happy to look into it and see what could be done.

Network Rail said the masts helped to provide a system for train drivers and signallers to communicate, and would reduce the risk of serious accidents.

Local resident, Steven Wright said the work had been carried out without any consultation with residents. "They're doing everything by the back door," he said.

Network Rail has insisted it is complying with an EU safety directive and that the mast meets guidelines for power output, frequency and safety.

BBC News has been told the company does not need planning permission, but it is obliged to consult councils and MPs.

Network Rail has agreed to do no more work on the Sandplace mast until full consultations have taken place.

In another case, Michael and Jenny Cochrane said the company failed to tell them about a mast that was erected along the Truro to Falmouth branch line at Trewedna Hill.

Mr Cochrane said the mast was built within a day. "By lunchtime this mast was on the horizon, completely ruining our 180 degree view", he added.

Mrs Cochrane said, "It's a monstrosity. They admitted they should have contacted us."

A Satellite solution would have inevitably been more efficient and cheaper and less of a series of eyesores.

A Satellite solution would have inevitably been more efficient and cheaper and less of a series of eyesores.

So AFAICS satellites are a complete and utter non-starter.

I suppose a satellite is less likely to get nicked for scrap

[Hopefully that won't be seen as a non PC comment]

I'll add that a Satellite solution is already implemented for similar needs in Canada, Australia, the US, Japan and China.
.....

I think that you will get the " Green" mast option from Network Rail , this seems to happen when a mast is seen to be an "eyesore" to the local area . They could , of course , try the " tree" looking option  , there is one on rattery bank , between Totnes and Marley tunnel ! Next time yr on a train , see if you can pick it out ( easier in the Winter)  :)
 n.b The tree one was put up by mobile phone companies ,its not for GSMR !

Protests over railway radio masts in Devon and Cornwall

MPs and people in Devon and Cornwall living near planned railway radio masts have criticised the structures which do not need planning permission.

The 95ft (29m) tall masts are being put up along main and branch lines for new digital radio communications equipment.

Protesters said there should be more consultation with nearby residents over their installation.

Network Rail said the masts were necessary and erected within the law and it worked to reduce visual impact.

The masts are among 2,200 being built across the country by Network Rail to improve communications between drivers and signallers and reduce the risk of serious accidents.

System recommended

After the Ladbroke Grove railway accident in 1999, where 31 people died and more than 500 were injured, the Cullen Report recommended a new communications system.

The masts do not need planning permission because Network Rail has permitted development rights. But it is obliged to consult councils, MPs and residents who live within 660ft (200m) of any site.

Geoffrey Cox, Conservative MP for Torridge and West Devon, said Network Rail should consult with those affected early on.

"A company [Network Rail] that really wants to endear its support to the public would want to consult people straight away," he said.

Construction work has begun on a mast in Bere Ferrers in the Tamar Valley in Devon.

Critics claim the mast, and others due to be built at nearby Bere Alston and Calstock in Cornwall, will stand out in an area of extreme natural beauty.

Bere Ferris parish councillor Brian Lamb added that critics were not sure if such masts were needed on all branch lines.

"It's a just a single-track line and we cannot see any justification for this," he said.

Network Rail said: "Our aim is to make the railways safer and more reliable for the passengers travelling everyday.

"When selecting a mast site, we take care to minimise any visual impact."

Sheryll Murray, the Conservative MP for South East Cornwall, is planning to meet the transport minister and has said she will be asking questions in the House of Commons about the matter.

The Department for Transport said Network Rail was "best placed to make a decision about the location of a new mast".

Plans for railway radio mast in Cornwall abandoned

The building of an 80ft (24m) railway communications mast between Liskeard and Looe in Cornwall has been halted after opposition from nearby residents.

Network Rail was criticised for poor consultation over plans for the mast.

The company said it was considering building several smaller masts along the branch line instead.

It said its new national communications system for train drivers would improve safety and help safeguard the future of branch lines.

Representatives of Network Rail met with objectors and local councillors on Thursday to discuss the mast plans and concerns over its location in Sandplace and its height.

Critic Steve Wright, who lives directly opposite where the mast was to be completed, said they "immediately agreed that the position was unacceptable".

He said: "It was as totally different approach by them and they were willing to listen and consider the arguments we put forward. Visually it was terrible. It ruined the whole look of Sandplace; and there were other considerations, such as it being a road hazard. I think that finally they felt they had to listen to us."

Network Rail said it was pleased to have been able to work with residents to reach a satisfactory compromise. It said: "The unique topography and operation of the Looe Valley railway has allowed us to consider an alternative solution, which could be less intrusive to residents yet achieve 100% communication coverage to run trains safely."

The company said it had invited key community representatives to help identify replacement sites for the smaller structures and that it hoped to present new plans in May.